I thought I might be forced to blog about an incident involving a certain young celebrity couple that occurred in the wee hours of the morning between Saturday and Sunday but, fortunately today I won't have to. If I know right, the subject is probably being discussed on a number of other blogs so, I'll hold my commentary on that subject until all of the facts are out. Instead, I'm going to talk about a person of interest that I ran into today. I have never named this person but, I did write two blog posts last year with this person's lifestyle in mind and the affect that it had on me (see Related Posts links below).
This person, who attended college with me for awhile and majored in journalism as I did, was actually living the life that I wanted for myself. He actually did something with his degree. He was doing freelance writing for a couple of credible magazines (at least that's what he told me at the time). He set his own hours, didn't really answer to anybody, and when in New York or Los Angeles, he got to hobnob with athletes, rappers, and actors that I could never dream of even meeting. That was living large in my eyes and that was the life I once desired for myself.
Well, yesterday I happened to run into my friend in the train station where I was sampling some strong Cuban coffee and reading the newspaper, while bringing my blog up on a co-worker's BlackBerry and doing my best imitation of 12Klye-lololol! He asked me if my job was "hiring" and I was shocked! The guy who was me or who I thought I would be was asking about a straight job?
He went on to say that he hadn't had a decent writing gig for a while and his bank account was starting to shrink. He and his girlfriend had broken up and he had to move out of the Brownstone they shared in New York City and return here to Philly. (He's actually from Chester but, has no desire to move back there.) He said he was currently staying with a young lady we knew from college but, wearing out his welcome there.
I asked him if he had any celebrity friends who could help him out because he had once shown me photos of himself with people like Allen Iverson, Jay-Z, Charles Barkley, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Nas, Stevie Wonder, etc. He said that he didn't really know them and that he had just been at events where they were and posed in pictures with them (not at all how he portrayed himself to me last fall, when he was in town last).
And, what about all the cool clothes, the nice car, and the electronic toys he had? He had to sell the car... he still had the wardrobe ("Da gear is real man, you know I was always about the gear!")... as for the electronic "toys", he still had his BlackBerry but little else. He told me that practically all but one of his five credit cards was maxed out and he was just about at the end of his rope.
I felt bad for my former college associate but, not so bad about myself anymore. I know, that's horrible and I'm going to psychic hell for that but, I'm just keepin' it real... that's how I felt at the moment. I still would've liked meeting all of those people, being invited to a bunch of free events like he had, and living to write about them but, maybe I don't have it so bad after all. My credit cards aren't maxed out (I hardly use them) and I have a roof over my head. I'm married and not living with some girl. Best of all (for the time being), I'm still gainfully employed. (Knock on wood.)
I gave him a couple of bucks and my cell phone number. I also took his cell phone number and told him I would keep my nose open and give him a call if I saw or heard anything. He told me that he had gotten in touch with a few other people we went to college with and they told him the same thing. He has a pretty extensive resume so maybe, even in this bad economy, he can find something sooner rather than later.
We said our goodbyes and my co-worker and I left to get the bus to work. I looked up at the sky and pondered for just a second, how the grass does appear greener on the other man's lawn sometimes.
Related Posts:
22 comments:
what...you gave him a couple of buck?? wow you are really a good friend
Great Story...Glad you got a chance to see that the grass isn't always greener in the other man's lawn.
I can't tell you how many of my old
college acquaintences have tried to front like they were doing better than they actually were..I feel you brother.
Been there....Know exactly how you feel. I read the other two posts...
They were really good.
I hate people who front...You're a better person than me Keith..I might not have given him a thing.
I loved this...I can really relate...I didn't finish college and a couple of my girlfriends who did have often made me feel like less of a person.
Sometimes the people who appear to have it going on ,really don't...but they fake it til they make it.lololol.
Wow, dude was really tore down..you coulda rubbed his face in it,but you didn't..Good man!
Very Thoughtful and Introspective
as usual.
Good Post Keith...and I'm glad you learned something from your experience. I remember the other two posts you wrote concerning this matter. I didn't know it ran so deep.
I think a lot of us have had these types of experiences..We have to learn to appreciate our own self worth and be happy with who we are and where we are.
Good for you Keith...You didn't gloat ,like you could have in that situation. You learned a great truth..The Grass isn't always greener.
Hey Keith, I remember those other
two posts and I'm glad for the follow up...Glad you didn't let this keep you down.
Great Post and as usual a timely lesson to be learned.
I have family in Chester..NO ONE wants to go back there..lol
so he embellished about his life and it all came back full circle.
Interesting how that always happens
p.s. thanks for stopping by my blog..come again..yours is nice as well!
Keith, I really hate it when people make out they are doing better than they are.
I loved this post it really brought home that 'grass is greener' message..
Good message. I needed to read this.
This is a story people should read and remember. It's not just a saying, it's true. It's human nature to blow yourself up bigger than you are when you know it will bring the praises of your peers. It's only bad when you're creating a life that's not at all in line with what you're living.
This is a bad time for him to have to realize that, but oh well.
And Keith -- kudos to you man. I think I would've laughed at him. I hope he does find something, because ultimately being broke like that isn't the business.
Thanks for keeping it real. Strange that he hasn't had a decent "writing gig (job)" for a while, and he's looking for a job (gig). You've had your current job for a little while now and voluntarily maintain two of the hottest spots in in the blogoshpere on an almost daily basis.
Your grass looks pretty green from here!
I guess HE made you to relax in green literary pastures.
SLC
What is amazing to me is stories like this creep up all of the time. As a person who deals with a lot of people in Hollywood, you’d be surprised how many folks are doing all of these incredible high profile things, and yet are still struggling to pay their rent in Studio City. It makes you wonder sometimes.
For a lot of people however, “the front” is what they deem as a necessity. It’s what gets them to where they think they want to be. As a society, we like good looking, well to do, material having people. Let’s face it, despite what may be said in public, most women for instance, would rather date the good looking guy with a million dollar bank account and connections to the high life; rather than the blue collar guy who has a steady job, a house, and looks as common as everyone else. People like “special”. Oh we all say we like honest people who keep it real and are just trying to make it in the world, but the reality is, we are all drawn to success.
Come to think of it, there’s an old saying about the needs of large genitals and expensive cars that proves my point.
For that reason some people find it necessary to front. You are after all in many cases, what you appear to be. At least for the moment. But if what you say isn’t who you really are...it’s going to be hard to maintain – and eventually, it will come crashing down around you.
When that happens, the real “real” doesn’t look so bad anymore.
Great post Keith, very thought provoking.
Man I feel for him.
I understand, but I don't think you should feel bad about feeling good about yourself. He was the one who fronted, so I don't see any reason you should minimize your accomplishments. I guess I've known my share of fake Jakes and am related to a couple...so that doesn't phase me. The truth always comes out.
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